Monday, 30 January 2012

A great quote to begin the week. Education is the great engine to personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become a head of a mine, that the child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. Nelson Mandela

I had a pre birthday lunch at The Telegraph at Putney heath, with hubby and sis, after church.

Quite a few people wished me for my birthday at church, which was lovely. I am definitely feeling better for being at church again, even this one, which has so many baptisms.

A friend of my sister's, Beth, told us that the English girl we know in Cape Town, who does missions work there, actually works with fostering and adopting of orphans! Wow, what a fantastic ministry. And what a lovely contact for us to have for our return :)

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir together to blend. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until incorporated. Blend in the vanilla. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the cookie dough filling, combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the flour, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the mixture has firmed up a bit, about a half hour.

To fill the cupcakes, cut a cone-shaped portion out of the center of each cupcake. I found this a little tricky to get the hole out but then you get to eat what you take out! Fill each hole with a chunk of the chilled cookie dough mixture.

To make the frosting, beat together the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until creamy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in the flour and salt. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.

Frost the filled cupcakes as desired and sprinkle with mini-chocolate chips.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow childcare providers!!! May 2012 be a year full of excitement and delight as we watch those in our care grow and develop... may we appreciate those precious moments of them discovering something new and exciting, and share in their joy of the amazing world around them. May God bless you all this year ahead x